OTTAWA, Ill., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating (SSHE), the premier meal replacement company in the country, is proud to announce its Seattle Sutton's 2012 Slim Down winners for its DuPage County, Ill. Contest. In 15 weeks, the 10 contestants lost a total of 355 pounds and improved their overall health through losing weight.

The second-place winner is Sandy Richards from Downers Grove, who lost a total of 40 pounds and 19.32 percent of her body weight. Sandy is $1,000 richer thanks to Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating.

The third-place winner is Julie Detwiler from Roselle, who lost a total of 39.3 pounds and 18.82 percent of her body weight. Julie will be able to continue her healthy lifestyle change with a year membership to the Kroehler Family YMCA of Metro Chicago.

The other contestants all had wonderful results as well:

Michelle Enz of Glendale Heights lost a total of 40.5 pounds and 17.31 percent of her body weight.

Stephanie Tarrant of Naperville lost a total of 32.7 pounds and 17.28 percent of her body weight.

Kathy Madura of Bensenville lost a total of 31.4 pounds and 16.32 percent of her body weight.

Judy Meyers of Darien lost a total of 31 pounds and 15.74 percent of her body weight.

Chitashia Smith of Glendale Heights lost a total of 32 pounds and 14.75 percent of her body weight.

John Batke of Wheaton lost a total of 33 pounds and 13.25 percent of his body weight.

Steve Cerka of Elmhurst lost a total of 37.5 pounds and 11.98 percent of his body weight.

Together the group also decided to shed 311 pounds of clothing they could no longer wear and donated it to Family Shelter Service in Wheaton. The non-profit organization transforms lives by offering help and hope to those affected by domestic violence.

Advocate Health Care'sACL Laboratories measured contestants' fasting glucose (blood sugar), A1C, fractionated cholesterol (total cholesterol, LDL and HDL) and triglycerides at the beginning of the contest and at the conclusion to determine their overall improvement of health. Each participant's blood pressure was also recorded at the beginning and end of the contest. Contestants were closely monitored each week when they picked up their SSHE meals at their nearest distributor location.

The contestants also saw big health improvements in 15 weeks in addition to weight loss. Their lab work saw significant improvements during the 15 weeks. Rovtar's fasting blood sugar dropped from 151 to 96, triglycerides dropped from 213 to 79 and her A1C went from 7.5 to 5.7. Richards reduced her cholesterol from 195 to 163. Detwiler lowered her cholesterol from 158 to 135 and her triglycerides from 74 to 56.

Seattle Sutton, founder and president of Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating said, "I'm proud of what a remarkable job they all did staying focused and attaining their goals to lose weight and improve their overall health. I'm so glad that we were able to help them reach their goals by providing our freshly prepared meals. Hopefully through this life-changing journey, they now have healthy habits that will continue to help them through life. After all, without good health nothing else matters."

About Seattle Sutton's 2012 Slim DownSeattle Sutton's 2012 Slim Down Contest for DuPage County, Ill., is a 15-week weight loss contest that ran from June 4, 2012 through September 17, 2012. SSHE provided the contestants with the 1,200-calorie SSHE freshly prepared meal plan to eat. Meals included in the contest were every breakfast, lunch and dinner for the contestants, a total of 315 meals in all, for the entire contest.

The contest was sponsored by SSHE in cooperation with Advocate Health Care's ACL Laboratories. Recognized as one of the nation's top health systems, Advocate Health Care is the largest integrated health care system in the state of Illinois and one of the largest in the Midwest. Apple Vacations, Riu Resorts and Hotels and the Kroehler Family YMCA of Metro Chicago were also contributing partners.

About SSHESeattle Sutton's Healthy Eating (SSHE), a family-owned, Illinois-based healthy meal replacement company offers a no-gimmick approach to convenient, healthy eating nationwide. The meal program is scientifically designed and taste-tested. Founded by Seattle Sutton, RN, BSN, in 1985, SSHE helps to address patients' desire to lose weight and improve overall health. Seattle Sutton's dedication to health continues today, since all SSHE menus are analyzed on an ongoing basis and adhere to recommended dietary guidelines. SSHE prepares thousands of fresh meals weekly and its innovative approach has helped thousands of people achieve and maintain weight loss without planning, shopping or cooking for themselves. For more information, seattlesutton.com or 1-800-442-DIET (3438). For business-related inquiries, 1-888-442-DIET (3438).